Catheter adapter port valve

ABSTRACT

A catheter assembly is disclosed that includes a catheter adapter having a port disposed on its sidewall. A valve is coupled to the port to seal the opening in the port.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/417,525, entitled CATHETER ADAPTER PORT VALVE, filed on Mar. 12,2012, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to port valves used in catheterassemblies. In medicine, catheter assemblies are used to place acatheter properly into the vascular system of a patient. Once in place,catheters such as intravenous (or “IV”) catheters may be used to infusefluids including normal saline, medicinal compounds, and/or nutritionalcompositions into a patient in need of such treatment. Cathetersadditionally enable the removal of fluids from the circulatory systemand monitoring of conditions within the vascular system of the patient.

One type of commonly used catheter is a peripheral intravenous catheter.These short, indwelling intravenous catheters are often used to providean entry route for medications, fluid for hydration, and in some cases,for parenteral feeding, into a patient. Such catheters are generallyshort in length, ranging from about one-half to about three inches inlength, and are generally made of flexible biocompatible materials.Peripheral intravenous catheters are often provided as “over-the-needle”catheters mounted over an introducer needle with a sharp distal tip. Aportion of the catheter including at least the distal tip of thecatheter securely grips the outside of the needle to prevent catheterpeelback during insertion of the catheter into the circulatory system ofthe patient. Although several techniques for placing such catheters arepracticed in the art, many generally include the step of inserting atleast a portion of the needle into the target vessel and then slidingthe catheter over the needle into place.

Once placement of the needle has been confirmed, the medical personnelmay remove the needle, leaving the catheter in place. A septum withinthe catheter adapter can prevent the outflow of fluid during andfollowing removal of the introducer needle. These septum structures aregenerally elastomeric and are designed to closely conform to the shapeof a needle during storage and use to prevent leaking, then to seal uponremoval of the needle. However, if the needle is left within the septumfor long periods, the septum may not completely seal after the needle isremoved, having conformed, in part, to the shape of the withdrawnneedle. An incompletely sealed septum can increase the risk of bloodexposure to medical personnel, since blood may flow through the smallopening in the slit of the septum. It would thus be an improvement inthe art to provide a catheter assembly with more reliable sealingfunctionality. Such a catheter assembly is disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully resolved by currentlyavailable catheter assemblies. Thus, these catheter assemblies aredeveloped to include a valve that is located on a port of a catheteradapter. Placing the valve on the port can avoid the problems involvedwhen a valve is in the path of an introducer needle. This valve canfurther provide the ability to infuse and withdraw fluids through theport.

Accordingly, in some aspects of the invention, a catheter assembly isprovided that includes a catheter adapter having an inner lumen. A portin the catheter adapter can form an opening into the inner lumen. Avalve can be coupled to the port and which selectively seal the openingof the port. The catheter assembly can also have a catheter tube and aseptum within the inner lumen that seals the proximal end of the innerlumen.

Various types of valves can be incorporated into the port to providemedical personnel with the ability to infuse and withdraw fluids throughthe port. Non-limiting examples of valves include an elastomeric septum,a ball valve, and an iris valve. The valve can be a one-way valve or atwo-way valve. The valve can be located on a removable luer accessconnector that can be connected and disconnected from the port.Alternatively, the valve can be located on a luer access connector thatis fixedly connected to the port. The valve can be a luer access valvethat accommodates the insertion of a luer device, such as those commonlyused in the medical industry. Moreover, a body portion of the port caninclude luer threads that can secure a luer device to the catheteradapter. In some configurations, the port can be disposed at an anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter in order to modify thedirection at which fluids are infused into the inner lumen. This anglecan be between about 15° to about 90°.

Additionally, the valve on a port can provide a number of benefits whenused with blood control-type catheter assemblies. Blood control-typecatheter assemblies can have an internal blood control valve that mayremain permanently open after it is activated by the insertion of aluer. In these instances, the valve can provide medical personnel withan additional point of connection that has a limited risk of bloodexposure. Accordingly, in some implementations of the invention, thevalve on the port is utilized with a catheter assembly having aninternal blood control valve. The blood control valve may include ablood control septum located within the inner lumen of the catheteradapter. A septum activator may also be located within the inner lumenat a location that is behind the blood control septum. When a separateluer device is inserted into the proximal end of the catheter adapter,the septum activator is advanced forward through the blood controlseptum, activating the blood control septum.

In some aspects of the invention, a button that extends outwardly from asidewall of the catheter adapter can activate and deactivate the bloodcontrol septum. The button can be connected to the septum activator andconfigured to move the septum activator distally through the septum whenthe button is pressed. In some implementations, the button is configuredto be pressed inwardly towards the inner lumen, and a translatingmechanism translates the inward movement of the button to a distalmovement of the septum activator.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention may beincorporated into certain embodiments of the invention and will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter. The present invention does not require that all theadvantageous features and all the advantages described herein beincorporated into every embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other featuresand advantages of the invention are obtained will be readily understood,a more particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered tolimit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectioned, side view of a representativecatheter assembly having a port and a valve.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective, top view of the catheter assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectioned view of a representativeball valve on a port.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectioned view of a representativeiris valve on a port.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the iris valve of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectioned view of a representative removablevalve on a port.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another representative catheterassembly having a valve on a port and a needle extending through thecatheter assembly.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectioned view of the catheter assembly ofFIG. 7 taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 with the needle removed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section view of yet another representativecatheter assembly having a removable valve on a port.

FIG. 10 illustrates a partial cross-sectioned view of a representativepush-button mechanism for actuating a blood control septum within acatheter assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention can beunderstood by reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbersindicate identical or functionally similar elements. It will be readilyunderstood that the components of the present invention, as generallydescribed and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, thefollowing more detailed description, as represented in the figures, isnot intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but ismerely representative of presently preferred embodiments of theinvention.

As used herein, the term “proximal”, “behind”, “top”, “up”, or“upwardly” refers to a location on the device that is closest to theclinician using the device and farthest from the patient in connectionwith whom the device is used when the device is used in its normaloperation. Conversely, the term “distal”, “forward”, “bottom”, “down”,or “downwardly” refers to a location on the device that is farthest fromthe clinician using the device and closest to the patient in connectionwith whom the device is used when the device is used in its normaloperation.

As used herein, the term “in” or “inwardly” refers to a location withrespect to the device that, during normal use, is toward the inside ofthe device. Conversely, as used herein, the term “out” or “outwardly”refers to a location with respect to the device that, during normal use,is toward the outside of the device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectioned view of one embodiment of acatheter assembly 10. As shown, the catheter assembly 10 generallyincludes a catheter 12 coupled to the distal end 26 of a catheteradapter 14. The catheter 12 and the catheter adapter 14 are integrallycoupled such that an inner lumen 16 of the catheter adapter 14 extendsinto the catheter 12. The catheter 12 generally includes a biocompatiblematerial that is made of a flexible or a semi-flexible polymer. Thecatheter 12 may be used in combination with a rigid introducer needle20, as shown, to enable insertion of the catheter 12 into a patient. Itis contemplated that other types of implantable catheter assemblies mayalso be used in combination with the present invention.

After the introducer needle 20 is removed from the catheter 12 andcatheter adapter 14, fluids may be infused into the patient. Thesefluids can include normal saline, medicinal compounds, and/ornutritional compositions (including total parenteral nutrition, or“TPN”). Fluids, such as blood samples, can also be removed from thecirculatory system of the patient through the catheter 12 for monitoringof conditions within the vascular system of the patient.

In some embodiments, a needle septum 22 is disposed within the catheteradapter 14 to prevent the outflow of fluid during and following removalof the introducer needle 20. The needle septum 22 can be elastomeric andbe designed to closely conform to the shape of an introducer needle 20to prevent leaking. The needle septum 22 can also seal upon removal ofthe needle due to axial compression forces on the needle septum 22 thatinduces it to close.

In some instances, fluids may be infused and withdrawn from the catheter12 through a port 30 in a sidewall 32 of the catheter adapter 14. Theport 30 can form an opening 34 extending through a sidewall 32 of thecatheter adapter 14. The sidewall 32 can be any wall of the catheteradapter 14 that extends substantially longitudinally (in relation to thelongitudinal axis 24) along the catheter adapter 14. A port 30 can be aside port or a top port. The port 30 can form a fluid path from theexternal environment into the inner lumen 16 of the catheter adapter 14.

To prevent contamination from entering the catheter adapter 14 throughthe port 30, a valve 40 can be coupled to the port 30 that providesselective access through the port 30. In some embodiments, the valve 40can be a two-way valve. A two-way valve is a valve 40 that permits fluidflow in two directions through the valve 40 when the valve 40 is open.Non-limiting examples of a two-way valve include a split septum, a ballvalve, and an iris valve. Thus, a two-way valve can permit fluid to beintroduced into the catheter adapter 14 (a first way) and to bewithdrawn from the catheter adapter 14 (a second way). In otherembodiments, the valve 40 is a one-way valve, which is a valve 40 thatonly permits substantial fluid flow in a single direction when the valve40 is open. A non-limiting example of a one-way valve is a check valve.In some embodiments, no other valves are used to regulate fluid flowthrough the port 30 other than the valve 40. By thus positioning thevalve 40 on a port 30 of a catheter adapter 14, the valve 40 can avoidproblems caused when an introducer needle 20 is left within an in-linevalve for an extended time.

In some configurations, the port 30 can be disposed at an angle 42relative to the longitudinal axis 24 of the catheter adapter 14. Theangle 42 can be measured between the portion of the longitudinal axis 24extending to the proximal end of the catheter adapter 14 and the centralaxis 38 of the port 40. For example, the angle 42 of the port 30 of FIG.1 is about 90° and the angle 42 of the port 30 of FIG. 6 is about 45°.The angle 42 can at least partially control to the direction at whichfluids are infused though the port 30. Thus, the angle 42 of the port 30can be modified to facilitate use, optimize performance, and/or optimizefluid flow within the inner lumen 16. In some embodiments, the angle 42is between about 15° to about 30°. In other embodiments, the angle 42 isbetween about 30° to about 45°. In still other embodiments, this angle42 is between about 45° to about 60°. In yet other embodiments, theangle 42 is between about 60° to about 90°. Accordingly, in someembodiments, the angle 42 is between about 15° to about 90°.

The port 30 can include a port body 36 having one or more integratedbody portions, which extend outwardly from the sidewall 32 of thecatheter adapter 14. Typical plastic materials such as, for example,polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene and co-polyesters could beused to form the port body 36. The port body 36 can define an inlet 44and a bore 48 extending between the inlet 44 and the opening 34 of theinner lumen 18. The inlet 44 and at least a portion of bore 48 can beshaped and sized in conformity with at least some of the InternationalStandards Organization (ISO) standards for a female luer connection.This will allow a male luer slip or male luer lock to be connected toport 30.

In various embodiments, the exterior of the port body 36 can include oneor more luer threads 50 in any number of thread configurations availableto provide and interlock between mating devices. The luer threads 50 canallow another medical device having a male luer lock to be connected toand interlocked with the port 30. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, theport body 36 can also have no luer threads to accommodate luer slip andluer lock connections.

FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate various types of valves 40 that can be usedin accordance with various embodiments of the port 30. These valve typesare not presented as an exhaustive set of valve types, and thus it willbe understood that other suitable valves 40 can be utilized in port 30.Reference will first be made to the valve 40 of FIG. 1. The valve 40 caninclude an elastomeric septum 56 that can form a fluid barrier until itdeforms to allow fluid flow therethrough. The septum 56 can be locatedon the inlet 44, within the inlet 44, or within the bore 48 of the portbody 36. Materials such as silicone, silicone rubber, or polyisoprenecan be used to form septum 56. The septum 56 can be formed as a singlepiece of elastomeric material that is formed to having various shapesand features. Alternatively, the septum 56 can be a two-piececonfiguration having a flexible inner material, such as silicon orsilicone rubber, and a more rigid outer portion, such as an outer ring.The outer ring can be formed of a plastic or metal or other suitablematerial. The septum 56 can also include a slit 58. In someconfigurations, at least a portion of the septum 56 is glued to the portbody 36 using one or more adhesives. Additionally or alternatively, insome configurations, at least a portion of the septum 56 is held inplace between two or more portions of the port body 36.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective top view of the catheter assembly 10 ofFIG. 1. As shown, the port 30 can be accessed, with a male luer device(such as the luer access connector 80 of FIG. 6) that is insertedthrough the slit 58 of the septum 56. The male luer device can beinterlocked with the luer threads 50 if the male luer device includes aluer lock. In this manner, a separate access device can be coupled tothe catheter adapter 14 through the port 30 to establish fluidcommunication therethrough. Additionally, a syringe, needle, or othersuch device can be inserted through the slit 58 of the septum 58 towithdraw fluids therethrough.

FIGS. 3 to 5 will now be referenced. These figures illustrate the use ofmanually activated valves 40 that can control the flow of fluid throughthe port 30. Reference will first be made to FIG. 3, which illustrates aball valve 60 that includes a spherical member 66 disposed within thebore 48 of the port 30. The spherical member 66 can have a hole 64through the middle so that when the hole 64 is in line with a centralaxis 38 of the port 30, the ball valve 60 is open. By turning thespherical member 66, such as with an actuator 62, the hole 64 becomesperpendicular to the central axis 38 of the port body 36 and the ballvalve 60 is closed. An actuator 62 can be coupled to the sphericalmember 66 such that as the actuator 62 is turned, the spherical member66 is moved between the open and the closed positions. In someconfiguration, as shown, the actuator 62 includes the gripping portion68 that is shaped and sized to accommodate the fingers of a medicalpersonnel and to provide leverage for turning the actuator 62.

Some embodiments of the ball valve 60 are configure so that the hole 64through the spherical member 66 is in conformity with at least some ofthe ISO standards for a female luer connection, as described above. Thisconfiguration can permit the insertion of a male luer into the hole 64of the spherical member 66 as the male luer is inserted into the port30. Additionally, as shown, a cap 70 can be removably coupled to theinlet 44 of the port 30. The cap 70 can cover the inlet 44 and preventcontamination from entering therein.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate another manually activated valve 40, an irisvalve. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectioned view of the iris valve 72.The iris valve 72 can generally includes a series of plates 74 that canfold in on each other and expand out to open and close the port 30. Whenactuated, this series of plates 74 can open by degrees to provide avariable sized opening through the iris valve 72. FIG. 5 illustrates atop perspective view of the iris valve 72. As shown, the iris valve 72is in a closed position with the series of plates 72 forming a barrieracross the port 30 that seals the opening 34 into the inner lumen 16 ofthe catheter adapter 14. An actuator 62 can be coupled to the iris valve72 such that as the actuator 62 is moved, the iris valve 72 is movedbetween the open and the closed positions. In some configuration, asshown, the actuator 62 includes the gripping portion 68 that is shapedand sized to accommodate the fingers of a medical personnel and toprovide leverage for turning the actuator 62.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 6, which illustrates a port 30 with acentral axis 38 disposed at an angle 42 of approximately 45° relative tothe longitudinal axis 24 of the catheter adapter 14. As shown, in someembodiments, the port 30 can be coupled to a removable valve 40. Theremovable valve 40 can be selectively coupled to the port body 36, suchas, via the luer threads 50. For instance, the removable valve 40 can becoupled to a removable luer access connector 80. A non-limiting exampleof such a luer access connector 80 is described in United StatesPublished Patent Application No. 2003/0109853, filed on Dec. 7, 2001,entitled, “Needleless luer access connector,” which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. Other such luer accessconnectors 80 can also be used. As shown, some embodiments of a lueraccess connector 80 can include a housing 82 having a top housingportion 94 and bottom housing portion 96. A septum 84 can be located intop housing portion 94 of the luer access connector 80 to control fluidflow therethrough. The septum 84 can have a top portion 86, a medialportion 88, and a bottom portion 90. The bottom portion 21 of the septum84 can be disposed and/or held in tension between the top housingportion 94 and bottom housing portion 96. Additionally, a slit 92 can beformed in septum 84 which extends longitudinally through proximalportion 86, medial portion 88, and distal portion 90 of the septum 84.

The bottom housing portion 96 of the luer access connector 80 can havean outlet 100 that is sized and configured as a male luer taper thatcomplies with the ISO standards for a male luer taper and which thus canbe inserted into the bore 48 of the port 30. Moreover, the bottomhousing portion 96 can include a luer lock collar 98 formed about theoutlet 100 to selectively lock the luer access connector 80 to the luerthreads 50 of the port body 36.

Turning now to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the top housing portion 94of the luer access connector 80 is connected directly and/or fixedly tothe port body 36. This configuration can reduce the overall port sizeand number of require parts included in the port 30.

FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectioned view of the catheter assembly of FIG. 7taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7. As shown, in embodiments where tophousing portion 94 of a valve housing 82 is directly connected to theport body 36, the bottom portion 90 of the septum 84 can be held intension between the top housing portion 94 and the port body 36.Moreover, to secure this connection, the top housing portion 94 and theport body 36 can be bonded together to prevent contamination of the port30. Any standard bonding technique, such as chemical adhesive orultrasonic welding can be used to bond top housing portion 94 of thehousing to port body 36. In addition, as shown, the shape and size ofthe port body 36 can be configured to accommodate the movement of theseptum 84.

As further shown in FIG. 8, in some embodiments, a port 30 and the valve40 are used with a blood control-type catheter assembly 10. Bloodcontrol-type catheter assemblies 10 generally includes a blood controlseptum 110 disposed within the inner lumen 16 of the catheter assembly10. The blood control septum 110 can open by a septum activator 112 whena luer device (not shown) is inserted into the proximal end 28 of thecatheter adapter 14. The luer device can advance the septum activator112 distally through the blood control septum 110 to form an open fluidpath therethrough. A representative blood control-type catheter assemblyis disclosed in United States Published Patent Application No.2011/0046570, entitled “Systems and methods for providing a flushablecatheter assembly,” filed Aug. 20, 2009, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

A valve in the port 30 can provide a number of benefits to the bloodcontrol-type catheter assemblies 10. For instance, a blood controlseptum 110 may remain open after the septum activator 112 is insertedthrough the blood control septum 110. This blood control septum 110 mayremain open, even after the male luer that advanced the septum activator122 is removed. In this open state, fluids can flow out the catheteradapter 14 and be exposed to medical personnel. However, using the valveon the port 30, medical personnel can access the inner lumen 16 of thecatheter adapter 14 without being exposed to the patient's blood.

Specific reference will now be made to the components of the bloodcontrol-type catheter assembly 10 depicted in FIG. 8. As shown, acatheter assembly 14 can have a blood control septum 110 located withinthe inner lumen 16 of the catheter adapter 14. A septum activator 112can be located within the inner lumen 16 at a location that is behindthe blood control septum 110. The blood control septum 110 can generallycomprises a flexible or semi-flexible polymer plug. The blood controlseptum 110 can have an outer diameter that is configured to compatiblyseat within a groove or channel 114 formed on an inner surface 116 ofthe catheter adapter 14. Alternatively, a groove or channel can beformed in the outer surface of the blood control septum 110, whichinterlocks with one or more features on the inner surface 116 of thecatheter adapter 14. In some embodiments, the blood control septum 110is barrel shaped, while in other configurations, the blood controlseptum 110 is substantially cylindrical or disk shaped. The bloodcontrol septum 110 can be elastomeric and include one or more slits 118through which the septum activator 112 can be inserted.

The septum activator 112 can be a probe-like structure that is primarilyhoused behind the septum 110 within the inner lumen 16 of the catheteradapter 14. The septum activator 112 generally comprises a tubular body122 that is rigid or semi-rigid. The tubular body 122 further comprisesan inner lumen 124 for facilitating flow of a fluid and/or liquidthrough the septum activator 112. The distal end of the tubular body 122can be shaped and sized to compatibly enter within the one or more slits118 of the septum 110.

Referring now to FIG. 9, in some instances, as shown, the exterior ofthe port body 36 may have no luer threads. This can allow for a lueraccess connector 80 or another separate luer device having a male luerslip to be connected to the port body 36. This type of port 30 can thusenable a wide variety of devices to be connected therein. Furthermore,in some instances, a septum 56, such as that shown in FIG. 1, can beincluded within the port 30 to avoid blood exposure when the separateluer device is removed from the port 30.

Turning now to FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the septum activator 112 ofa blood control-type catheter assembly 10 can be activated and/ordeactivated by pressing a button 130 on a port 30. The button 130 canenable medical personnel to manually activate and deactivate the septum110 as needed. In operation, the septum activator 112 can be advanceddistally through the septum 110 when the button 130 is pressed a firsttime, and withdrawn from the septum 110 when the button 130 is pressed asecond time. In some configurations, the button 130 is coupled to thesidewall 32 and extends outwardly from the catheter adapter 14.Moreover, the button 130 can be coupled directly to the septum activator112 or be indirectly coupled thereto via one or more connecting members.For example, the button 130 can be coupled to one or more translatingmechanisms 134 that translate the inward movement of the button 130 todistal or proximal movements of the septum activator 112.

From the foregoing it will be understood, that a catheter assembly ofthe present invention can include a valve that is located on a port of acatheter adapter rather than in-line with the needle path of anintroducer needle. This valve on a port can avoid problems caused when aneedle is left within septum for an extended period and further providethe ability to infuse and withdraw fluids through the port. This valvecan be a two-way valve that facilitates the infusion and withdrawal offluids to and from the catheter assembly. When used with bloodcontrol-type catheter assemblies, the valve can reduce the likelihood ofblood contamination when connecting and disconnecting various componentsto the catheter assembly. Some configurations also include a push-buttonseptum activator that can provide medical personnel with the ability tomanually activate and deactivate the blood control valve as needed.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its structures, methods, or other essentialcharacteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by theforegoing description. All changes that come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

1. A catheter assembly, comprising: a catheter adapter having a distalend and a proximal end and an inner lumen extending between the distalend and the proximal end; a port disposed on a sidewall of the catheteradapter, wherein the port forms an opening between the inner lumen andan external environment; a housing coupled to the port; and a septumcoupled to the port and disposed within the housing, wherein the septumseals the opening of the port.
 2. The catheter assembly of claim 1,wherein the catheter adapter further comprises a catheter coupled to thedistal end of the catheter adapter.
 3. The catheter assembly of claim 1,wherein the catheter adapter further comprises a septum activatordisposed within the inner lumen.
 4. The catheter assembly of claim 1,wherein the port is disposed at an angle of between about 15° and about90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter adapter.
 5. Thecatheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is directly coupled tothe port.
 6. The catheter assembly of claim 5, wherein the housing isdirectly coupled to the port via one or more threads disposed on theport.
 7. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is a tophousing, further comprising a bottom housing, wherein the top housing iscoupled to the bottom housing, wherein the bottom housing is directlycoupled to the port.
 8. The catheter assembly of claim 7, wherein thebottom housing is directly coupled to the port via one or more threadsdisposed on the port.
 9. The catheter assembly of claim 7, wherein abottom portion of the septum is disposed between the top housing and thebottom housing.
 10. A catheter assembly, comprising: a catheter adapterhaving a distal end and a proximal end and an inner lumen extendingbetween the distal end and the proximal end; a port disposed on asidewall of the catheter adapter, the port forming an opening betweenthe inner lumen and an external environment; a ball valve coupled to theport and sealing the opening of the port, wherein the ball valvecomprises a spherical member having a hole extending therethrough,wherein when the hole is in line with a central axis of the port, theball valve is open; and a septum disposed within the inner lumen at alocation proximal the port.
 11. The catheter assembly of claim 10,further comprising an actuator coupled to the ball valve, wherein theactuator is configured to turn the spherical member such that the holeis perpendicular to the central axis of the port and such that the ballvalve is closed.
 12. The catheter assembly of claim 10, wherein thecatheter adapter further comprises a catheter coupled to the distal endof the catheter adapter.
 13. The catheter assembly of claim 10, whereinthe catheter adapter further comprises a septum activator disposedwithin the inner lumen.
 14. The catheter assembly of claim 10, whereinthe port is disposed at an angle of between about 15° and about 90°relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter adapter.
 15. Thecatheter assembly of claim 10, further comprising a cap removablycoupled to the port.